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Lotus Paradise Tour – Japan & Taiwan

My trips to the Far East are always a joy. This time was no exception. I learn something new every visit. It is part of the intrigue, I guess, that goes on attracting me to this part of the world year after year. I enjoy that there is a context for meditation in the Far East. It runs just under the surface and is something very tangible for me. At the same time, it is easily missed. One finds it hiding shyly like a woman, woven deep into the sophisticated fabric of their ultra-modern societies.

The events were all wonderful. I enjoyed making new friends, while also meeting old ones and re-connecting. Everywhere, the meditations created a ripe climate for transformation, manifesting dimensions of the inner world like a rainbow while, at the same time, opening space for the heart. Everything combined to create a powerful momentum for celebration.

I am briefly in the USA at the time of this writing, soon to be traveling to Europe for the winter months. I will spend a few weeks holiday at Osho RISK Center in Denmark. Then, in early January in Zurich, I will finish production of the new ‘Chakra Healing’ and ‘Circle of Love’ meditation cds.

Before saying goodbye to 2006, I pause briefly to look back and say ‘thank you’ to all the wonderful musicians who played so beautifully for this year ‘s events and projects, those who traveled in love and spirit with me throughout the many kilometers. I also want to thank my organizers and the many others who contributed their time and energy, love and enthusiasm, towards making the tours a success and the events possible. It has been a creative and nourishing year for me – inside and out. I feel my life enhanced, enriched, in so many ways. With all gratitude now, I turn to face the horizon and look forward to the adventures to come.

A final word about the pictures. I have arranged the Japan photos more or less in chronological order, reflecting the path of my travels: Tokyo, Matsumoto, Nagoya, Osaka, Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima. The Taiwan photos are all from one source, the place of my first event: Tai-chung(two hours south of Taipei). The fact I have only photos from here by no means diminishes what transpired at the other events: Hsin-chu and Osho Garden. Both were equally powerful and beautiful. This photo selection is a good representation of the joy and celebration that unfolded everywhere.

Japan

Taiwan

Lotus Paradise Tour – USA & The Bahamas

New York – The Abode of the Message

Chicago – Wellspring Retreat Center

Wildquest – Island of Bimini, The Bahamas

Lotus Paradise Tour – Europe and Russia

Travels with the band included Slovenia, Italy, Denmark, Greece (Corfu), Switzerland, Holland, and Germany finishing with a tour in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg). Band members from left to right: Isa, Jaldhara, Chandira, Swagato, and Milarepa.

Europe

Moscow & Saint Petersburg

Lotus Paradise Tour – Europe Part l

Production of the Lotus Paradise cd finished in May. The cds were delivered in June and the Europe tour immediately started. The bulk of the photos will appear in the next update. Enjoy!

Lotus Paradise

Mixing of the new album will commence this month in Zurich.The final title has been chosen, “Lotus Paradise”. It will feature the beautiful mandala artwork of Paul Heussenstamm (a.k.a. Vibodha) on its cover.

The summer tours are on the horizon. Please check the schedule page for details. You may also enjoy to view the band page for a glimpse of the many wonderful musicians who will be joining in along the way.

The theme of this year’s events is: laughter, joy, music, love, dancing, singing, and of course meditation. Come and join us for the celebration!

Lotus Paradise Recordings

Rehearsals and basic-track recordings in Denmark with Amlas, Neera, and Isa.
Additional tracks recorded in Zurich, Switzerland with Chandira (vocals), Atmo (trumpet), Vedam (flute), Sidhamo (piano and keyboards), and Harisharan (trombone) at Sound Development Studio.
Mixed by Gabriel in Zurich.

Travels East

Celebrating the New Year while enjoying travels and music in Goa, Pune, Dharamsala, Delhi, and Amritsar – India. Fun!

Japan & Taiwan Tours

Out of the hundreds of photos from the most-recent tours of Japan and Taiwan, I chose the following. Hopefully, they will give some ‘taste’ of what had to be one of my most beautiful visits ever to the Far East. My only wish is that I had time to include all the pictures, but alas.

These few days in the USA, while I write this update, are but an overnight stay as Stockholm and India visits and events come into focus.

I am delighted to say the majority of next year’s 2006 dates are in place and can be viewed on the schedule page. Where and when I find time for a break in the months ahead remains unknown at this point. But hey, no worries. Life is a mystery to be loved and lived, not a problem to be solved, is it not?

A special “thank you” is in order to all my hosts and organizers in Japan and Taiwan. I will carry our meditations and celebrations deep in my heart and well into the new year as my travels unfold.

Japan

Taiwan

Glorious Sound Of The Soul

Again this month, there are many pictures to share. In a nutshell, the New York and Chicago events were wonderful this time around. And The Bahamas? Well, simply magic is putting it mildly. Please enjoy the pictures and some beautiful words from the Sufi mystic, Hafiz.

Oh, what is laughter, Hafiz?
What is this precious love and laughter,
Budding in our hearts?
It is the glorious sound of a soul
Waking up!

New York Event

(this year in Earthdance, Plainfield, Massachusetts)

Chicago Event

Fort Lauderdale

Wildquest, Island of Bimini, The Bahamas

Celebration Concert

Parimal Summer Festival, Germany, July 23, 2005
photos by Markus Lokai (www.lunaphotos.com)